Paxton to host regional 'Growing Greener' meeting

The Wachusett Working Landscapes Partnership will hold a series of meetings in central Massachusetts to discuss community priorities and tools that can help manage future growth and development. The first meeting will be held at Paxton Center School on Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m.. A second meeting is planned on July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rutland Public Library. Attendees will include municipal officials and staff, community groups, developers and area residents.

According to Debbie Shriver, WWLP Project Coordinator, "The meetings will explore a 'Growing Greener' framework that will help towns grow smarter, meet local housing needs, retain their rural character and reduce future energy demands. This approach offers tools that can help to sustain the landscapes and natural heritage of Wachusett towns. At the same time, this low impact development can enable more affordable housing for young families, seniors, and other area residents. We will also provide participants with information about funding and technical assistance for water and land protection and smart growth."

The community meetings will examine detailed maps showing protected and developed areas and vital resources that should be preserved. Meeting participants will identify priorities for protecting water supplies, working lands, wildlife habitats, forests, and other special features. Attendees will also identify technical assistance that their towns need to use new tools for low impact development, land conservation and lower cost housing.

The Wachusett Working Landscapes Partnership was formed by community groups and state agencies to help preserve the natural resources and rural character of the Wachusett region that includes Holden, Hubbardston, Leominster, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, West Boylston and Westminster.

The community meetings are free of charge. For more information contact WWLP Project Coordinator, Debbie Shriver, at 978-534-0379 or e-mail mwc@ commonwaters.org.